Launch of GO AI Hub Marks a New Chapter in Pakistan–Saudi Relations: Shaza Fatima

Islamabad: Saudi Arabia’s GO Telecommunications Group on Saturday inaugurated an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub in Pakistan, marking a major step toward strengthening digital cooperation, promoting research, and connecting Pakistani freelancers and tech companies with Saudi businesses.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, National Coordinator SIFC Gen. Sarfaraz Ahmed, CEO GO Group Yahya bin Saleh Al-Mansour, and CEO PSEB Abu Bakar jointly launched the GO AI Hub during a ceremony held in Islamabad.

The initiative — developed in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s GO Telecommunications Group — aims to promote AI research, digital capacity building, and knowledge exchange while providing a sustainable platform for collaboration in the technology sector between the two brotherly nations.

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the launch of the GO AI Hub marks a “new chapter” in Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations, describing it as a long-term digital bridge rather than a one-time agreement.

“Through this hub, young Pakistani freelancers — who have already placed Pakistan among the top three global outsourcing nations — can now offer their services to Saudi companies remotely,” she said.

The minister announced that a major investment in data infrastructure would soon follow, strengthening Pakistan’s growing digital ecosystem. She said the initiative aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a “Digital Nation Pakistan” and demonstrated that government policies were translating from “paper to real-world execution.”

She added that the GO AI Hub would generate employment opportunities, provide technical training, attract foreign investment, and help local startups expand globally.

Praising the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the federal team, Shaza said the project was “the first drop of many to come,” expressing confidence that Pakistan would soon witness billions of dollars in new technology-related investments.

She also lauded Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Pakistan, noting that the 17 recently signed agreements between the two countries in the IT sector would further deepen bilateral cooperation.

Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki said the GO AI Hub would focus on innovation, digital transformation, and knowledge sharing, adding that the initiative reflected the “strong brotherhood and deep-rooted relations” between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

“This initiative highlights our shared commitment to innovation, technology, education, and knowledge sharing. We look forward to more projects that will strengthen the strategic partnership between our two countries,” the envoy said.

GO Group CEO Yahya bin Saleh Al-Mansour said the launch of the AI Hub in Islamabad — following one in Silicon Valley — underscored the shared vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s leadership to advance cooperation in artificial intelligence, ICT development, and digital innovation.

“The launch signifies our confidence in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, talented youth, and innovation potential. We are here to transform this relationship into action by connecting the Saudi and Pakistani technology landscapes,” he said.

He added that upcoming investments in data centers and cybersecurity infrastructure would lay the foundation for a robust digital future in Pakistan.

PSEB CEO Abu Bakar praised the swift execution of the project, noting that the initiative materialized within three weeks of initial discussions — a sign of strong alignment between the leaderships of both nations.

Calling the hub a “perfect synergy and a win-win for everyone,” he said the initiative would open vast opportunities for Pakistani startups, tech firms, and service providers to connect with the Saudi market and global technology networks.